Quick connector for end-to-end coupling of industrial conduit sections

ABSTRACT

A compression-type fitting for quick connection of two hoses or hose sections and pipe and hose section in-line is adapted primarily for industrial, heavy duty hoses typically in one to three inches in diameter, although not so limited. A commercial application for which the connector has shown to be particularly useful is in the media blasting industry where hoses are subject to extreme conditions and break or leak after a relatively short period of use, requiring frequent shut down and repair or replacement of the hoses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention is in the general field of connector couplings forconnecting two ends a conduit such as a hose-to-hose or hose-to-pipetogether and is specifically directed to compression-type connectors forindustrial hoses.

Discussion of the Prior Art

It is well known to use a compression fitting to connect two pipes or apipe to a fixture or valve. It typically consists of three parts: thecompression nut, the ferrule or compression ring, and the compressionseat.

In small sizes, the compression fitting is composed of an outercompression nut and an inner compression ring or ferrule typically madeof brass or copper. Ferrules vary in shape and material but are mostcommonly in the shape of a ring with beveled edges. To work properly,the ferrule must be oriented correctly. Usually, the ferrule is fittedsuch that the longest sloping face of the ferrule faces away from thenut.

When the nut is tightened, the ferrule is compressed between the nut andthe receiving fitting. The ends of the ferrule are clamped around thepipe, and the middle of the ferrule bows away from the pipe, making theferrule effectively thicker. The result is that the ferrule seals thespace between the pipe, nut, and receiving fitting, thereby forming atight joint.

Larger sizes of compression fittings do not have a single nut tocompress the ferrule but a flange with a ring of bolts that performsthis task. The bolts have to be tightened evenly to assure a seal.

Thread sealants such as joint compounds are unnecessary on compressionfitting threads, as it is not the thread that seals the joint but ratherthe compression of the ferrule between the nut and pipe.

While widely used, compression fittings have not been employed regularlyin heavy duty couplings. It would be desirable to provide acompression-type system primarily applicable to heavy commercialapplications such as media blast systems where the media is deliveredunder pressures up to 150 psi and higher. The subject invention fillsthat void.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is a compression-type fitting for quick connectionand disconnection of two hoses or hose and pipe sections primarily usedfor industrial applications. Typically, such applications include heavyduty hoses typically in one to two inches in diameter, although not solimited. A commercial application for which the connector system hasshown to be particularly useful is in the media blasting industry whereends to be end-to-end connected are subjected to extreme conditions andbreak or leak after a relatively short period of use, requiring frequentshut down and repair or replacement.

The subject invention is particularly suited for use in this and similarapplications. It is easy to use, does not require any tools anddecreases the change time to less than fifty percent of known connectionsystems. The system includes a compression body which is adapted to beplaced on one end of a hose. A compression lock nut is placed on theopposite end of the hose. The compression body includes a compressionassembly which extends beyond compression body and is adapted to receivethe hose end carrying the compression lock nut. When the lock nut istightened on the compression body, the compression assembly tightensaround engages the hose to form a tight durable connection between thetwo hose ends.

A plurality of leaves or plates are utilized rather than a ferrule orcompression ring. This replaces the ferrule and permits compressionbetween the nut and the receiving fitting without having to compress ordeform the compression component. The leaves are clamped around thepipe. The result is that the leaves tighten to form a seal in the spacebetween the nut and the receiving fitting, forming a tight joint. Animportant feature of this design is the system can be use in repeatedoperations without any of the key components being deformed during eachapplication.

The sharp internal ribs of each leaf function to grip the outsidesurface of the hose. The sealing is done by two internally raisedcontinuous rings which contact the outside surface of the hose to createtwo airtight seals. Generally two rings are used to create redundantseals

A stowable compression handle system is carried on and stowed in thecompression lock nut once the compression fitting is mounted on andsecured to the hose assembly. In the preferred embodiment the handlesystem comprises a pair of dye pins or handles, each stowed in a nestingslot on the outer perimeter of the compression lock nut and extendingparallel to the center line of the system. When in use to disconnect orconnect the system to a pair of hose ends, the handles or dye pins swingout so that they are perpendicular to the system center line forproviding leverage for turning the compression lock nut.

In the preferred embodiment, the compression assembly is defined by aplurality of arcuate plates or leaves hinge mounted on the compressionbody and extending outward therefrom for surrounding the outer perimeterof the hose portion. A compression lock is mounted on the other end ofthe hose and receives the compression body. The leaves are mounted in achannel provided on the compression body and a snap ring secures theleaves in place during assembly and disassembly.

In practice, one hose end in inserted in the compression body endopposite the leaves. The compression nut is mounted on the other hoseend and is engaged by the body. The nut is tightened and the leaves arecompressed to seal the two hose ends together. In addition, air pressurewill exert natural force to pull or separate the hose away from thebody. As the hose moves away from the body, the leaves which have a gripon the hose will also move. The outside tapered surface of the shiftingleaves will press against the inside taper of the nut causing the leavesto further tighten their grip on the hose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a media blasting system withthe quick connect system shown mounted up stream of the media valve.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the quickconnect/disconnect system of the invention.

FIGS. 3-9 are various views of the compression body and the compressionlock nut.

FIGS. 10-12 are taken along a section at the center line of the systemand show the engagement of the leaves with the hose when the assembly istightened.

FIG. 13 shows how the leaves are positioned when mounted on thecompression body, in the compressed position.

FIG. 14 shows the leaves as mounted on the compression body in theexpanded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compression-type quick connect/disconnect system includes three maincomponents, a compression body, a compression lock and a compressionsystem. It is ideally suited for connecting two hose ends together in asubstantially leak-proof coupling.

The compression body has outer surface and an inner surface, wherein theinner surface defines a receptacle for a first hose. A compression lockis adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the compression body.The compression system is positioned between the compression body andthe compression lock.

The compression system includes lock end secured to the compression bodyand adapted to receive a first hose end, and a second lock end extendingoutwardly from the compression body and adapted to engage a compressionlock nut on the second hose end. The compression system of the preferredembodiment is a plurality of plates or leaves free to move relative toone another, each element having one end attached to the compressionbody and another end adapted to be placed on the outer perimeter of thesecond hose and the inner wall of a compression lock, whereby movementof the compression lock compresses the each element toward the outerperimeter of the second hose lock to seal the two hose ends together.

A limiting element wherein each plate is restricted in the ability tomove toward and away from the center axis of the compression body. Thecompression body includes a receptor for holding the ring and limitingthe movement of each plate. A tool system is stowed in the compressionbody comprising a movable handle adapted to be stowed in the compressionlock and movable between a stowed position and an operating position forfacilitating tightening and loosening of the compression lock relativeto the compression body.

For purposes of clarity, the reference numerals used in this applicationare as follows.

Numeral Component 1 Hose end 2 Hose end 3 Quick connect/disconnectsystem of the subject invention 4-6  Not used 7 Metering valve 8-10 Notused 11 Compression body 12 Compression plates or leaves 13 CompressionNut 14 Snap ring 15 Dye pins 16 Dye pin washers 17 Swivel post for dyepin 18 Not used 19 Leaf or plate 20 Snap ring retaining slots 21 Facesurface of compression body 22 Raised ribs on leaf inner surface 23Barbs or points on outer edge of leaf or plate 24 Threaded surface oncompression body 25 Mated threads on the nut

With reference to FIG. 1 , the quick connect/disconnect system 3 of theinvention is shown as mounted on hose ends 1 and 2 of a typical mediablast system and located upstream of the metering valve 7. In exhaustmode the fitting is technically downstream if the metering valve.

An exploded view of the system is shown in FIG. 2 . The compression body11 holds the assembly comprising a plurality of plates or leaves 12.Each of leaves are of an arcuate, tapered design and have a first end 19adapted to be mounted on the face 21 of the body 11. A snap ring 14 isheld in slots 20, which when assembled is outboard of each leaf 12. Thesnap ring 14 loosely holds each leaf 12 in a longitudinal positionroughly parallel to the center line of the assembly. This facilitatesinsertion of the leaves into the hose end in the compression lock nut 13(shown in FIGS. 10, 12 and 13 ).

Each leaf 12 includes a plurality of raised ribs 22 which engage thehose perimeter when the lock nut 15 is tightened onto the compressionbody 11. The compression body has a cylindrical portion 24 which isthreaded for receiving mated threads 25 (see FIG. 9 ). The dye pins 15are each mounted on a swivel post 17 and held in place by washers 16. Agroove 27 is provided for housing the dye pins when not used to tightenor loosen the assembly. FIGS. 3-9 show the assembly from various angles.

A plurality of projecting circular rings 23 and 24 are can be located onthe ends of each leaf and adapted to engage and even penetrate the hosesection, see FIG. 12 , for enhancing the coupling between the hose ends.

FIGS. 10-12 show the assembled system with hose ends 1 and 2 held inposition by the compression body 11 and the compression lock nut 13,with the leaves 12 engaging the hose (enlarged for clarity in FIGS. 11and 12 ). As there shown, ribs 22 are of triangular cross-section,creating a sharp edge 25 at the free end to embed them in the hose,increasing the stability of the compression system. In addition, wherethe leaf is engaged by the compression body 11, there are two grooves 30engaging hose section 1, further increasing the stability of theassembled system.

While certain embodiments and features of the invention have been shownand described, it should be understood the invention encompasses allmodifications and enhancement within the scope and spirit of thefollowing claims.

1. A compression-type quick connect/disconnect connector system for ahose, particularly suited for connecting two hose ends together in asubstantially leak-proof coupling, the industrial hose connector systemcomprising; a. A compression body having an outer surface and an innersurface, wherein the inner surface defines a receptacle for a firsthose; b. A compression lock adapted to be secured to the outer surfaceof the compression body; c. A compression system positioned between thecompression body and the compression lock, the compression system havinga first lock end secured to the compression body and adapted to receivea first hose end, and a second lock end extending outwardly from thecompression body and adapted to engage the compression lock nut a secondhose end, wherein the compression lock nut is adapted for being movedtoward the compression body and for compressing the compression systeminto sealing contact with the second hose end.
 2. The connector systemof claim 1, further comprising a segmented compression system having aplurality of separate elements free to move relative to one another,each element having one end attached to the compression body and anotherend adapted to be placed on the outer perimeter of the second hose andthe inner wall of the hose compression lock, whereby movement of thecompression lock compresses the each element toward the outer perimeterof the second hose lock and seal the two hose ends together.
 3. Theconnector system of claim 2, wherein each separate element comprises aplate having an arcuate shape and having said one end attached to thecompression body such the plate is movable toward and away from thecenter axis of the compression body.
 4. The connector system of claim 3,further including a limiting element wherein each plate is limited inthe ability to move toward and away from the center axis of thecompression body.
 5. The connector system of claim 4, wherein thelimiting element comprises a ring secured to the compression body andoutboard of each plate.
 6. The connector system of claim, wherein thecompression body includes a receptor for holding the ring and limitingthe movement of each plate.
 7. The connector system of claim 3, whereinthere are a plurality of ribs on each plate for providing additionalgripping surface for the system when the compression lock is move towardthe compression body.
 8. The connector system of claim 3, furthercomprising a threaded outer body portion on the compression body and amated threaded portion on the inner periphery of the compression lock,whereby the compression lock can be turned and tightened or loosenedrelative to the compression body.
 9. The connector system of claim 1,further comprising a threaded outer body portion on the compression bodyand a mated threaded portion on the inner periphery of the compressionlock, whereby the compression lock can be turned and tightened orloosened relative to the compression body and a movable handle adaptedto be stowed in the compression lock and movable between a stowedposition and an operating position for facilitating tightening andloosening of the compression lock with the compression body.
 10. Theconnector system of claim 9, wherein the compression lock includes anesting component for securing the stowed handle when not in use. 11.The connector system of claim 10, wherein the nesting componentcomprises a groove located in the body of the compression lock and aswivel mount permitting rotation of the handle into and out of thegroove.
 12. The connector system of claim 1, further including one ormore continuous rings points located on one or more leaves and adaptedfor engaging and penetrating the hose section, for enhancing thecoupling between the hose ends and increasing the grip to further sealthe coupling.